Of May 18

DETROIT – More than 200 middle and high school fine and performing arts students will showcase their immense talent during a public event at the historic Fox Theatre for the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (DPSCD) “An Evening of Fine Arts,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18.

The community will be treated to performances by DPSCD’s top instrumental music ensembles, vocal music ensembles, dance companies and theatre excerpts. In addition, original works of art by the district’s top visual artists will be displayed in the Fox Theatre’s Grand Lobby. It is a celebration of the students’ achievements and provides them with a one-of-a-kind experience to perform on the same stage as the world’s greatest artists. DPSCD’s signature event will celebrate its 54th anniversary this year, and it kicks off their “Come Home” Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend.

An Evening of Fine Arts triumphantly returned to the Fox Theatre last May through the combined support from Comerica Bank, 313 Presents, Olympia Development, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and Detroit ACE. The united philanthropic effort generates a greater impact and inspires thousands of Detroiters as they gather to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.

“It is impossible not to have goosebumps while watching our students perform at this event. We are grateful for the support we have received as a District to bring back this event to the Fox Theatre,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD. “It means so much to our students and their teachers and families. If you did not attend the event last year, you need to attend this year. The performances match any professional concert!!!”

The Ilitch Companies have supported Detroit Public Schools students over the years and An Evening of Fine Arts is a natural extension of the partnership that has included financial and in-kind donations, internships and educational programs.

“The students’ dedication and talent are testaments to their own abilities, as well as the incredible guidance of their teachers and the support of their entire school community,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO, Ilitch Companies. “An Evening of Fine Arts is a major highlight of our long-standing partnership with the Detroit Public Schools Community District. It is an honor to host and showcase these remarkably talented young performers on the historic Fox Theatre stage.”

See AN EVENING OF FINE ARTS page A-10

Tickets Available Now: Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest Top 10 Reveal and Hatch Off with Winner Announced

in the 2023 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, and the process to narrow down the top applicants is now underway. It will soon be the public’s turn to participate and support entrepreneurs seeking to open their own brick-and-mortar retail businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park.

TechTown announced that tickets are now available for two key contest events: the Top 10 Reveal and the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest Hatch Off. Tickets and details for each event can be found at HatchDetroit.com.

The Top 10 Reveal will be held at TechTown Detroit on April 4, while the Hatch Off will take place at the Wayne State Industry Innovation Center on April 26.

“This

State chance for our com- at what the future of the city’s small business landscape could look like,” said Christianne Malone, assistant vice president for economic development at Wayne State University and chief program officer of TechTown Detroit. “We’ve reimagined the Top 10 Reveal event and are excited to showcase these incredible entrepreneurs, then let the community decide which business they want to see open in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park.” to debut their business concepts in front of the community that could potentially be frequenting their businesses once they open,” said Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank National Community Impact Manager. “These two events give our top candidates the chance to debut their business plans while also providing the greatest opportunity for the public’s voice to be heard in which

2022 Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown semi-finalists at the Top 10 Reveal Party. This year Top 10 will be announced at a special event on April 4 at TechTown.

The four-month contest, which kicked off in early January, includes two rounds of public voting – Top 10 and Top 4 – allowing the community to vote for their favorite business to win the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank, as well as a package of accounting, legal, IT and public relations support from TechTown and their partners.

As a keynote speaker, Erica Dhawan, an internationally recognized leading authority, speaker, and advisor on 21st-century teamwork, collaboration, and innovation, will share strategies to unlock the collective power of teams, build a culture of trust across any distance and create authentic engagement to ensure competitiveness.

Comerica Prom Dress Drive Returns for Fifth Year with new Community Partner, Jackets for Jobs

Public encouraged to drop-off dresses, accessories at select Comerica locations April 3-21

Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that expands economic opportunity for women and entrepreneurs of color, empowers the next generation, and honors the accomplishments of Michigan women. Cassin is also the General Partner and Co-Founder of the BELLE Michigan Impact Fund. She is a highly-regarded organizational development and operations expert, an accomplished healthcare entrepreneur, and recently named one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women.

NICOLE LEWIS, CEO of Nicole Lewis & Associates. The award-winning sales and marketing executive founded Nicole Lewis & Associates, a business strategy and development consultancy. Lewis has a distinguished career defining strategies to drive growth and has succeeded in building, turning around, training and mobilizing organizations to exceed goals. She is the president of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit, which advocates for women entrepreneurs. RONIA KRUSE, President & CEO OpTech. As a women-owned professional services firm, OpTech provides talent development and solutions services to Fortune 1000 and government clients by tailoring solutions within the verticals of government, healthcare insurance, utilities, finance (banking) and manufacturing. Kruse leverages her background as a successful entrepreneur in talent management and workforce solutions; as a Certified Public Accountant and financial expert with a big 4 professional service firm; and as a strategic change agent and human capital disrupter to help board of directors and companies achieve maximum financial results.

To register or for sponsorship and additional information, visit https://events.comerica. com/wbsdet2023.

Cassandra Worthy, one of the Women Business Symposium’s featured speakers, is the world’s leading expert on Change Enthusiasm®, and is lighting the world on fire with her refreshingly unique take on not just ‘managing’ but growing through change.

An amount equivalent to all sponsorship dollars collected will benefit Alternative for Girls (AFG), a Detroit-based nonprofit serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women. Since 1987, AFG has provided critical services to the girls and young women we serve, including safe shelter, street outreach and educational support, vocational guidance, mentoring, prevention activities, and counseling. AFG’s goal is to empower the girls and young women we serve to make positive choices.

Since its inception, Comerica Bank Women’s Business Symposium has successfully engaged thousands of attendees across Comerica’s markets with a variety of speakers and conversations.

Jackets for Jobs is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides career clothing for metro Detroit job seekers. For over two decades, the community organization has assisted over 35,000 job seekers put their best foot forward to obtain employment.

For people experiencing barriers to employment and independence, clothing insecurity is real. It can mean not having anything to wear or not having the right thing to wear. Both are barriers to advancement. Jackets for Jobs’ provides a stable source of well-maintained and displayed clothing that is suitable for any need, from casual to workwear.

Jackets for Jobs is located in Detroit at two locations, including: on the eastside at 5555 Conner, Suite 2097 and westside at 18100 Meyers Road.